The Sahel region of West Africa is highly vulnerable to drought and food shortages. 2012 marks the third food crisis to hit the region in the last decade. This time 17 million people across 8 countries do not have enough food.

This year early warning signs, translated into early action. The result; lives are being saved.

Apart from funding the delivery of food supplies, ECHO also funds projects that aim to build communities' resilience to future food crises. For example, we help communities build dams that will save their water during so that they can keep their crops alive during the next dry season. We also fund cash transfers, sometimes to mobile phones, in exchange for work or training. This allows people to buy food for themselves.

Right now we are working with over 25 partner organisations in efforts to get to as many people as possible before the crisis peaks in the coming weeks and months.Our other partners in the Sahel this year include the World Food Program, Unicef, Concern, Goal Terre des Hommes, ACTED, Intermon, Oxfam, Save the Children, and HELP.

ECHO was among the first donors to raise the alarm and put its money where its mouth is; starting with a donation of €10 million in November 2011, the Commission's total funding for the Sahel food crisis is now up to €288 million.

The poorest 20% of the Sahel's people are the ones who need help most. As our humanitarian aid is always aimed at those in greatest need, reaching these people is our primary target. Children and pregnant women are a priority for our aid; Their good health is the foundation of a better future for the Sahel.